About FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS Franchise
Friendly's is an iconic family style restaurant franchise known for its ice cream, frozen treats, and a full menu of moderately priced breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Relaunching its franchise program in 2021 under Amici Partners Group, the brand carries decades of consumer recognition and nostalgic appeal that few restaurant concepts can match.
The initial franchise fee is $30,000, with a reduced $15,000 fee available through military and incentive discount programs.
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$1.1M
Average Investment
$1.9M
Maximum Investment
$2.7M
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 6.0% of Net Sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 3.5% of Net Sales (Marketing Fund; max 4%) + 1% local marketing | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $1,110,680 – $2,682,435 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $1.1M–$2.7M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (6.0% of Net Sales) and marketing fee (3.5% of Net Sales (Marketing Fund; max 4%) + 1% local marketing) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Site Selection Fee | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Project Management Fee | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Lease, Deposits & Rent | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Architect/Engineer/Drawings | $16,000 | $30,000 |
| Construction | $400,000 | $1,567,500 |
| Furniture, Equipment, Signs, Computers | $327,500 | $460,000 |
| Grand Opening | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Misc Pre-Opening | $13,420 | $36,960 |
| Insurance (3 months) | $6,000 | $7,500 |
| Inventory | $39,000 | $65,000 |
| Training Travel/Living | $10,010 | $33,825 |
| Opening Team Expenses | $24,750 | $78,650 |
| Professional Fees | $2,000 | $6,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $200,000 | $300,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $10,000 |
| Renewal Fee | 50% of then-current franchise fee (currently $15,000) |
| Technology Fee | Up to $150/month IT Support + $30/month FranConnect + $350-$500/month POS |
| Audit Fee | Costs of audit if understatement 1%+ |
| Managed Security Provider | $330-$450/month |
| EcoSure Audit | ~$375, twice/year |
| Deficiency Fee | $1,500 plus reinspection costs |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | ~4 weeks each for GM, Restaurant Manager, Shift Supervisor |
| Classroom Training | 13.5 (GM program) |
| On-the-Job Training | 186.5 (GM program) |
| Training Location | Certified training restaurants; webinar/e-learning |
| Additional Training | Opening team of 9-14 trainers for 2 weeks before and after opening at no charge. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected radius area |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | ~1-mile radius around restaurant |
| Description | ~1-mile Protected Area. Not exclusive. Non-Traditional Venues excluded from protection. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Term | One additional 10-year term |
| Renewal Fee | Half of then-current franchise fee (currently $15,000) |
| Renewal Conditions | Good standing; sign current agreement; remodel; sign release. |
| Transfer Fee | $10,000 |
| Transfer Conditions | Cure defaults; pay amounts owed; transferee must qualify and complete training; right of first refusal. |
| Termination for Cause | 24 hours health/safety; 10 days payment/insurance; 30 days other curable. Immediate for insolvency, abandonment, fraud. |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years |
| Non-Compete Details | 2 years within 15 miles of franchise location or any Friendly's restaurant. No involvement in family restaurants where frozen desserts are 10%+ of sales. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | No |
| Participation Details | Must maintain management control. Day-to-day through approved Managers. Absentee owners' Manager must own 20%+ equity. |
| Required Suppliers | Must purchase proprietary products exclusively from US Foods or approved sources. POS from Revel Systems. 37-57% initial, 25-30% ongoing from restricted sources. |
| Supply Restrictions | All food, supplies, equipment must meet franchisor standards from approved suppliers. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | Neither franchisor nor APG derived revenue from franchisee purchases in last fiscal year. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | Does not offer financing. |
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$1.4M
Revenue Range
$606K – $3.1M
Sample Size
67 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordFRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS System Growth
Total Units
126
Franchised
76
Company-Owned
50
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS currently operates 76 franchised locations and 50 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 86 | 0 | 86 |
| 2021 | 0 | 10 | 76 |
Transfers: 1 | Closures: 10
State Registrations
Registered in 15 states: CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, TX, VA, WA, WI
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Revenue
$8.5M
Net Income
$1.7M
Total Assets
$6.0M
Audited by FORVIS, LLP for year ending January 2.
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS franchise ranges from $1,110,680 to $2,682,435, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $30,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS charges a royalty fee of 6.0% of Net Sales of gross sales, plus a 3.5% of Net Sales (Marketing Fund; max 4%) + 1% local marketing contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS franchise owners report average revenue of $1.4M. This is based on a sample of 67 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS has been franchising since 2021. The FDD shows an investment range of $1,110,680-$2,682,435, a 6.0% of Net Sales royalty, and includes an Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $30,000 and the total investment ranges from $1,110,680 to $2,682,435 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com